Blogs

It's the most wonderful time of the year! But, for so many of us, it's the busiest time of the year, too!!!!

I have to admit that I absolutely love to shop, and I remember everyone this time of year with a special surprise gift. QVC and QVC.com will truly give you lots of options, 24 hours a day, and will ship wherever you need your gifts to go. And, if all else fails, there's always a QVC gift card to rely on!

I grew up the middle of three girls, so I'm probably your go-to person for girl gifts. That's not to say I can't come up with a few good ideas for the guys in my life!

Every year, I look forward to the return of certain holiday faves, like Valerie Parr Hill, philosophy, Slatkin & Co., and more. Let me begin by suggesting a philosophy collection as a fantastic holiday gift idea. The bath/shower gels are a favorite of every woman on my list, from my youngest niece to my mom. You may want to pair up with a pair of aloe socks, or a set of two Tassi hair wraps.

For a more pampering gift, there are so many combinations of hand and foot creams could work with a gift card for a mani/pedi at a local salon. A great fragrance gift is philosophy's fragrance layering collection, which will give you a chance to give your favorite scent to someone you love for the holidays! You just can't go wrong with any gift from philosophy!

Valerie Parr Hill always brings us the tradition of her balsam wreaths. I always send one to my Aunt Marie in North Carolina who can't be home for the holidays. I hope the smell of greens reminds her of all the Christmas Eves spent at our house when we were kids. Valerie's set of six candles, gift boxes, and tags are my annual answer for special gifts to give everyone who helps Nicole and me throughout the year. Valerie's spun-glass heart ornaments are really beautiful and easy to gift. Give them to the families and neighbors you'd like to remember for the holidays. It's much better than me baking, trust me.

For the fashionistas, there are so many choices. Liz Claiborne New York has beautiful pashminas that provide drama and warmth. I'm so excited to give the jewelry lovers on my list beautiful Prerogatives beads.

Not only do they already come in a gift box, but they're truly unique and beautiful. I'll also be giving the gift of Diamonique to Nicole — Epiphany Platinum Clad Diamonique studs. She wears these to dance in the Nutcracker.

I have to admit that some of my most treasured jewelry actually came from the Santa shopping exhibit at Nicole's school craft fair. Nicole would go in with her $5 and come out with special gifts for all of us. She used to buy me big rings, "Mom" necklaces, and earrings for 50 cents each, and she'd beam with pride and tell me what a good diamond bargain shopper she was. I still wear them to the Nutcracker for good luck.

If Nicole was smaller, I'd buy her Heys Disney luggage which would be every little kid's dream come true! I'm buying my nieces candy-wrapper clutches. The girls all know the story about supporting women when you buy these bags, and who doesn't like candy? I already bought Nicole and my youngest niece, Elaina, the friendship-bracelet maker. Nicole will take hers to camp and Elaina will use hers at her next sleepover. Little MissMatched socks make a great gift, maybe with a philosophy bath gel ornament for Nicole's friends. And there are a lot of choices to fit different budgets, too.

Sachi market totes are going to be a gift for my mom, sisters, and friends. I'm going to incorporate them into their individual gifts instead of using gift bags. I so love these insulated totes. They get me back and forth to the grocery store every week. Malden Mills Polarfleece sheet set will be a wonderful indulgence for my mom and dad — a wonderful hug to keep them warm since my dad still likes to save money by keeping the house cold. A Home Reflections luminary is a perfect gift for my mom who loves to decorate for Christmas. Nothing's better than a personalized flameless candlethat already comes in a bag. That'll be a good family gift for my friends. Mr. Christmas' five music ornaments are always very special gifts that I give to Nicole's friends who dance with her in the Nutcracker.

I've got adorable nieces and a daughter who would love the hot rollers from Calista Tools. L'Occitane gifts are always welcome, from their selection of travel-size hand creams for stocking stuffers to the body creams for all the ladies on my list. And I can hardly wait for WEN's newest fragrance in cleansing conditioners! The 15-piece holiday collection from Sephora by OPI is awesome.

You can also add Cheryl's cookiesto my list of gifts that I like to send, as they're individually wrapped and freeze great, so you always have a holiday treat to pop into the kids' lunch bags. Junior'salways does a beautiful cheesecake for the holidays so you can send an impressive gift to business associates.

I do have furry, four-legged girls, too, who will probably be happy with some special treats to eat.

My list could be endless, from a Stan Herman robe for mom to Carole Hochman pj's for my friend Lori from Texas who's always cold all winter to Nicole, who pretty much would be happy with anything from smashbox, Mally, Laura Geller, tarte, or any of our other fantastic beauty brands.

It's so much fun to remember those we love this holiday season. Please also find it in your heart to remember those who are forgotten this time of year. Maybe adopt a family for the season, surprise an elderly neighbor with a Christmas Eve meal and a carol, or just do whatever you can for someone else. It really is true that the spirit of Christmas giving gives back to you!

—Pat James-DeMentri